AquaticRepublic.com - Erethistes pusillus (Sisoridae) All Fishes

Shipra stream, West Bengal,India
Video
Shipra stream, West Bengal,India
Example of divergent spines on outside edge of pectoral fin ray
Close-up of divergent spines
Twelve hours old
Annulations on the barbels.

All Fishes Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Erethistes pusillus** Müller & Troschel, 1849
Common Name	Giant Moth Catfish
Type Locality	Assam, India.
Synonym(s)	Hara pusillus
Pronunciation	puss ill uss
Species Information
Size	42mm or 1.7" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	A key to the genus Erethistes is found HERE. Telling this fish apart from similar Hara spp. is very hard. Divergent as opposed to convergent serrations on the pectoral spines are the hard and fast characteristic to use but these are nearly impossible to see with the naked eye. Experienced observers maintain it is possible to see differences in snout shape between the two (Erethistes usually has a more steeply sloping snout), and Erethistes usually has a darker base coloration than Hara (dark brown vs, more of a chestnut brown); overall it's usually quite difficult (thus unreliable) without recourse to the serrations.
Sexing	Unknown
Habitat Information
Distribution	Asia: India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Myanmar Waters (click on these areas to find other species found there) Indian waters (click on these areas to find other species found there) Indian waters, Bengal Waters, West Bengal Waters (click on these areas to find other species found there) Nepal Waters (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category	Least Concern , range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2009.
pH	6.2 - 6.8
Temperature	20.0-23.0°C or 68-73.4°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters	Increase the oxygen levels with a powerhead or a couple of airstones. Keep the water very clean. If top water quality is not maintained the fish will constantly shed their skin.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Feed live and frozen foods. Some individuals will eventually take dry foods but not all will. User data.
Furniture	Provide a substrate of fine sand (many will burrow). A few caves made of stone will complete the set up.
Compatibility	They are very peaceful, but can be out competed by fast moving barbs, cichlids, tetras, or even other catfishes.
Breeding	Unknown
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Horae Ichthyologicae No. 3, pp 12, Pl. 1 (fig. 2).
Registered Keepers	There is no registered keeper.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There is no wish to keep this species.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 7 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
Forum BBCode

	Look up E. pusillus on PlanetCatfish.com
	Look up E. pusillus on Fishbase
	Look up E. pusillus on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up E. pusillus on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.20.66.141
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:37 (species record created: 2005 Apr 24 00:00)